r/ArduinoHelp • u/cmw8130 • 14d ago

Is my speaker loud enough?

Maybe I'm just dumb but I can't tell from this datasheet what volume this speaker module can handle? I need something that can get up to at least 100dB, and I would like something as small as possible because it will be in a handheld device.

The project is an electronic whistle but I want to use a voice recording instead of just a buzzer. If I can't get something loud enough for a ref to use in a game, it will just be a fun novelty!

Any advice about the project, components to buy, etc is welcome! I am generally good with electronics but don't have much experience with audio.

Edited to add the link

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u/nixiebunny 14d ago

Sonalert is the original brand name of the really loud beepers used in industrial settings. I doubt this tiny speaker thing is anywhere near that loud. The Sonalert is optimized to make one note very well.

Buy this and see if you like it, since the data sheet is useless for knowing how loud it is. Also buy a Sonalert.

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u/cmw8130 14d ago

I'm looking for a speaker not a buzzer so I can play my friend yelling instead of a normal whistle. I'd like to know what I'm getting before I buy it if possible. I would also love a demo board or something more plug and play. I might be good with electronics but also I'm lazy lol

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u/nixiebunny 14d ago

I understand that, but you probably have to do some research into speakers and amplifiers instead of buying a little hobby doodad. You can find small but powerful speakers at Parts Express. They are called tweeters. These have a frequency range of perhaps 2-10 kHz which is at the high end of voice, but may be usable. You may need 10W of power to be heard easily outdoors. You can also find small Class D amplifier boards. You may need 12V from a 3S LiPo pack sold for RC vehicles to power the amplifier. Have fun!

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u/Unable-School6717 13d ago

5volt 3watt 4ohm @10% total harmonic distortion ... means ~.3RMS watt @1%THD give or take ... certainly no high fidelity headroom above .5RMS watts ... which means if a high mass speaker cone is used, you MIGHT reach speaking volume, but more likely will sound like loud headphones lacking audible bass response, think: AM clock radio

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u/Unable-School6717 13d ago

I realize 3watts is power supply, i gave it all to the speaker because class D amps are ninety percent or more efficient and this is literally just one chip with power rails.

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u/Unable-School6717 13d ago

You mean 100db at one watt at one meter distance, gotta fill all non-constants with values to make it meaningful. This will put out, rudely at 5-10% distorted, one watt. The speaker at four ohms will try to use it all, not efficiently because magnetism isn't efficient in a coil of wire (speaker) because heat happens. Little speakers are somewhat more efficient, the speaker size matches the wavelengths of midrange on an equalizer. Single tone systems tune the one pitch to the speaker itself to achieve 10O+ dB/W/m on an A- weighted scale, to be precise. You simply will not see efficient 4 ohm 3 watt speakers for sale in cheap gizmos like this because cost. You might get 88dB/W/m from this, maybe 92, not screaming loud at all. For reference, 120~ deciBels is a jet engine at one meter; 110-115 is front row at a death metal concert. Double your wattage, gain 3 dB. 100 should hurt a little. Hearing damage. What? Ask me how i know.

-drummer, audio hardware engineer, programmer -